India Strengthens Military Posture Near Siliguri Corridor Amid Shifts in Bangladesh’s Political Alignment

Indian media outlet India Today has reported that New Delhi is accelerating the construction of three new forward military bases near its eastern border. The move comes amid concerns that Bangladesh’s political landscape is shifting closer to China and Pakistan, creating what India perceives as one of its most vulnerable strategic flashpoints.

According to the report published on Saturday, India is undertaking a major transformation of its military posture along the narrow 22-kilometer-wide Siliguri Corridor, the strip of land that connects mainland India to its seven northeastern states, commonly known as the “Seven Sisters.” The establishment of three new military installations in this critical zone reflects a fundamental shift in India’s strategic planning.

The forward bases—located at Lachit Borfukan Military Station near Dhubri, Kishanganj in Bihar, and Chopra in West Bengal—are described as more than traditional defensive garrisons. These bases will host rapid deployment forces, intelligence units, and para-special forces, making them crucial strategic nodes designed specifically to ensure that the corridor is never placed at risk.

The India Today report states:

“The timing of this move reflects India’s response to the seismic political changes unfolding in Bangladesh.”

India views recent political changes in Bangladesh with growing concern. The India-friendly administration of Sheikh Hasina has been replaced by an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, whose foreign policy, the report claims, is increasingly aligned with China and Pakistan.

Citing defense sources, India Today notes:

• Bangladesh is reportedly planning to purchase Chinese J-10C fighter jets worth USD 2.2 billion
• Dhaka is also collaborating with Beijing on drone production
• Pakistan has offered Bangladesh its JF-17 Block C Thunder combat aircraft

India considers Bangladesh’s tilt towards its adversaries to be a potential strategic nightmare—especially along a border that touches the sensitive Siliguri Corridor, home to more than 45 million people in the Northeast who rely on this narrow strip for connectivity to the rest of the country.

Bases Positioned for Deep Surveillance and Quick Mobilization

Among the new installations, the Chopra base is located less than one kilometer from the Bangladesh border, enabling deep surveillance inside Bangladeshi territory and allowing for rapid troop deployment if necessary. Analysts suggest that such positioning marks a significant alteration of the operational balance along the border.

India Strengthens Firepower in the Region

The report further highlights that India has bolstered this strategic zone with:

• Rafale fighter jets
• BrahMos missile systems
• Advanced air defense assets

This signals a shift from reactive defense to proactive dominance, India Today observes. For Bangladesh, the report states, the message is “unambiguous”—the military power imbalance is significant, and any miscalculation would be met with overwhelming force.

A Reconfigured Strategic Landscape

The article concludes:

“The Siliguri Corridor is no longer a vulnerability but a fortified strategic asset, protected by a nation prepared to defend its territorial integrity.”

The developments underscore rising geopolitical tensions in the region, driven by shifting alliances, military modernization, and the strategic sensitivities surrounding South Asia’s most fragile corridor.